East Union guard Lexy Posz makes her way around Sierra defender Stephanie Vanni during a league game at Dalben Center Friday.

Photo by CHRIS LEONARD/

The challenge was daunting for the Sierra girls varsity basketball team having to take on the defending three-time Valley Oak League champion on East Union’s home court in the third conference game of the week.

And despite being down by 14 points in the third quarter, the Timberwolves managed to close that gap to only four before East Union sealed off the 51-44 victory – the Lancers’ third this week just a day after beating Sonora on the road.

“We played a great game tonight,” Sierra head coach Steve Unterholzner said. “I think that if we would have had maybe three or four fewer turnovers we very easily could have won this game tonight. But we came out and played with a lot of heart, and that’s all that you can really ask.”The Lancers (3-0 VOL, 11-3 overall) came out firing in the game’s opening minutes, but were unable to build a substantial lead thanks to the outside shooting of Michelle Arroyo that kept Sierra hanging around.

But once East Union established its inside presence with sophomore Shalane Jackson, the tide would slowly start to shift in the Lancers’ favor. Jackson outscored all of the rest of her teammates in the third quarter 8-7 on her way to a 20-point, four-rebound night that also included two steals and block.

Salina Tiscareno sealed the victory in the fourth quarter with three timely field goals that broke up any chance for the Timberwolves (1-2, 6-7) to string together unanswered points.

“I’m very pleased with our performance tonight,” East Union head coach Jim Agostini said. “We had a long night last night coming home from Sonora, and to come out and play a game like that tonight – the third game this week – says a lot about the character of our team.

“Sierra was a good team and they took us right down to the end there. Playing your district schools like that is what it’s all about.”

Krystal Young finished with nine points, while Lexy Posz rounded out the leading Lancer scorers with eight points. Rachel O’Neal lad East Union defensively with five rebounds and three steals.

Mallory Weiler came off the bench to lead Sierra in scoring with her 11 point performance. Jasmine Currimao finished with 10 points, while Michelle Arroyo racked up nine points.

Oakdale 59, Lathrop 45

OAKDALE – Lathrop (0-3, 2-11) battled to a three-point deficit at the half, matched Oakdale’s 10-point scoring total in the third, but succumbed to a 19-8 Oakdale fourth quarter for its third straight loss to open VOL play.

“Their all-league point guard Cassandra Clark got hot in the fourth quarter,” Lathrop head coach Ed Fang said. “She caught fire with three 3-pointers in the fourth and we had no answer for her.

“Our guards got a little tired after the game we had (Thursday).”

Jazlyn Simon led the Spartans with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Erica Sanchez chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds and Britney Rallios added eight points and five assists.

The Spartans will continue along the VOL schedule Tuesday when they make the trip to Manteca to meet up with the Sierra Timberwolves.